An apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil body having a proximal body end portion and a distal body end portion that extend along a longitudinal coil axis. The apparatus also includes a non-extensible, core wire assembly configured to inhibit longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil body along the longitudinal coil axis. The core wire assembly has a first core wire and a second core wire respectively extending from the proximal body end portion toward the distal body end portion. The second core wire proximally terminates relative to the first core wire such that the distal body end portion is more flexible than the proximal body end portion. The first and second core wires transversely overlap to provide a collective column strength to the helical wire coil body along the longitudinal coil axis.

A dilator device including an elongated flexible material sleeve having a hollow interior extending along a distal portion and a proximal portion thereof. An expandable or inflatable bladder is connected to the distal portion and disposable radially outward from an exterior of the sleeve when in an expanded and/or inflated orientation. The elongated sleeve comprising a tip having a predetermined configuration that facilitates positioning the elongated sleeve within an intended body part. A fluid input is structured for removable connection to a fluid source and is disposed on the sleeve, in fluid communication with the bladder and a flow restrictor is structured to restrict fluid flow from the bladder to an exterior of the sleeve. An access opening is formed on the proximal portion and is cooperatively dimensioned with the hollow interior to removably receive any one of a plurality of different types of positioning instruments within the sleeve.

A dilation instrument includes a body, a dilation catheter, a guide member, and a force sensor. The dilation catheter has an expandable dilator. The guide member extends distally from the body and is configured to guide movement of the expandable dilator. The force sensor is operatively connected to the guide member and is configured to sense a force imparted against the guide member for monitoring engagement with an anatomy of a patient.

A system includes a dilation catheter and a guide member. The dilation catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a dilator, a navigation sensor, and a force sensor. The dilator is positioned proximal to the distal end and is configured to transition between a non-dilated configuration and a dilated configuration. The navigation sensor is positioned distal to the dilator and is configured to cooperate with a guidance system and thereby provide signals indicating a position of the dilation catheter in three-dimensional space. The force sensor is positioned distal to the dilator and is configured to provide signals indicating a force encountered by the force sensor. The dilation catheter is configured to slide relative to the guide member. A distal portion of the guide member is sized and configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient.

An irrigation system is disclosed that can be uses in, for example, rectal irrigation. The system comprises a reservoir for an irrigating liquid and a probe for arrangement in a user. The probe includes an inflatable balloon for fixing the catheter in a body cavity. A first pump is provided to pump irrigation liquid from the reservoir to the probe, and a second pump is provided to pump a fluid to the balloon for inflation. A control unit controls the transfer of the irrigation liquid and the fluid, and includes a valve for releasing fluid from the balloon for deflation. Tubing provides fluid communication between the reservoir, control unit and probe. The control unit and the first and second pumps are further arranged as an integrated unitary component, and the manually operable balloon control element is arranged in the vicinity of the second pump.

A trans-anal irrigation (TAI) system adapted for self-use includes an irrigation head supplied with water from a reservoir by a pump or by gravity feed. The irrigation head has either internal or external structures for releasably retaining the head in a user's rectum during the water flow portion of a TAI process. A guide member arm may be provided for manipulating the irrigation head for both insertion and removal. The irrigation head is reliably attached to the guide member arm. The guide member arm may include an integral manual pump.

A portable irrigation system comprising a reservoir for an irrigating liquid, a probe for arrangement in a user, an electrical system, a control unit for controlling the transfer of irrigation liquid and tubing providing fluid communication between said reservoir, control unit and probe.

A device for emptying stool from the rectum of a patient by means of a shaft body which is introduced into the bowel via the anus and is able to buckle or fold axially and radially, and which is provided with a dumbbell- or hourglass-shaped balloon body for assuring the transanal positioning of the device. The invention comprising a design of, and choice of material, for the shaft body and the balloon envelope, and by the positioning of the balloon body on the shaft body, wherein the axial deflection of the free forward end of the shaft body is limited and an uncontrolled deflection of the shaft is prevented, and the probability of perforation of the bowel wall under the effect of force acting on the shaft body from an axial direction is reduced by the intestinal tube.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

Provided is an enema nozzle for an enema device. Said enema nozzle includes an insertion body with a flexible insertion tip. The flexible insertion tip is located at the insertion end of the insertion body, and said tip will flex when it abuts intestinal tissue. This will provide a smoother insertion, which effectively will alleviate the physical discomfort and pain that a patient may expire during insertion of an enema nozzle.